Paper trimming machine



April 5, 1955 E, c. sAssE EI'AL PAPER TRIMMING MACHINE Filed May 25, 1952 INVENTORS, Elmer" C. Jcmu e John [4 Eafon e Shets-Sheet 1 A TI'OR/VEKS April 5, 1955 c. SASSE EIAL PAPER TRIMMING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 26. 1952 \N w E INVENTORS [/mer C. Jesse (/0/1/1 M4 afon ATTORNEYS April 5, 1955 E. c. SASSE ETAL 2,705,533

PAPER TRIMMING MACHINE Filed May 26, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 ll/l/l/I/I/I/Il' 1 INVENTOR5 April 1955 E. c. SASSE ETAL 705,533

PAPER TRIMMING MACHINE Filed May 26, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 f/mer C Jayme (fa/2n W [afon ATTOR/VEVJ April 5, 1955 E, c. SASSE ETAL 2,705,533 PAPER TRIMMING MACHINE Filed May 26, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN V EN TORS f/ln er C Jame (/0/1/1 M4 11 on United States Patent PAPER TRIMMING MACHINE Elmer C. Sasse and John W. Eaton, Cleveland, Ohio Application May 26, 1952, Serial No. 290,032

Claims. (Cl. 164-38) This invention relates to improvements in paper trimmers.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a paper trimmer for uniformly trimming one or more corresponding edges of each sheet put therethrough.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a paper trimmer, especially designed for uniformly trimming book corners.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a paper trimmer, especially designed for uniformly trimming book corners located at opposite ends of the fore edge of said book.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a paper trimmer, especially designed for uniformly trimming one or more corresponding corners on a plurality of books, wherein the corners are located at opposite ends of the fore edge of said book and wherein the fore edges of the books are not-necessarily all of the same length.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a paper trimmer having structural simplicity, being inexpensive to manufacture, being easy to operate, and being especially designed for fast, accurate trimming at minimum labor cost.

Other features of this invention reside in the arrangement and design of the parts for carrying out their appropriate functions.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and description and the essential features will be set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a top view of the paper trimming machine with the pusher ram retracted in a solid line position and extended in a dot-dash line position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the upper portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the machme taken along the line 44 of Figure 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the machine taken along the line 55 of Fig. 1 looking toward the pusher ram;

Fig. 6 is avertical transverse sectional view of the machine taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 1 at the location of the first cutter;

Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal view taken through the ram along line 77 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 4 of the means for urging each book into alignment for trimming the book corner by the cutter located opposite thereto;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken along the line 99 of Fig. 6 through the means for pushing the fore edge of each book against the horizontal guide surfaces during cutting;

Fig. 10 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the first cutter taken along the line 10-10 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the cutter blade with its adjusting screw shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a top view of a portion of the machine, similar to Fig. 1, but having books passing therethrough for trimming and having the mechanism located above the books removed for clarity;

Fig. 13 is a horizontal sectional view, similarly to Fig.

8, but showing the action of said means on the books as they pass through the trimming machine;

Fig. 14 is a vertical sectional view, similar to Fig. 10 but of a second cutter, taken along the line 1414 of Fig. 12 showing the cutting action performed by the cutter on the book corner;

Fig. 15 is a fluid flow diagram of the conduits and control valves used in controlling and supplying pressure fluid to the double acting cylinder of the conveyor ram for moving the books through the machine;

Fig. 16 is a vertical sectional view of the control valve in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of one of the limit valves in Fig. 15 shown in its normal position; while Fig. 18 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 17, with the limit valve in its other operative position actuated by the pusher plate.

Those familiar with this art will recognize that this invention may be applied in many ways, but it has been chosen to illustrate the same connection with trimming or rounding the corners of bound books. However, it should be apparent that this invention includes other types of trimming than mere rounding of corners and also'includes trimming of similar articles, equivalent to books, whether paper or other easily cut material or whether bound as books or unbound in loose sheet condition. For example, a set of sheets can be held together in a group by a clip or binding band so that they are equivalent to a bound book and move through the machine as a unit. The word book, as used in the claims, is intended to cover all of these equivalents.

Although the trimming of only two adjacent corners is shown in the drawings, the same principle could be used in cutting all four corners of a rectangular sheet or book.

Difficulty has been experienced in rounding book corners opposite the binding after the book pages have been trimmed but before the book cover has been put on. Naturally, to have a neat appearance a book must have both corners trimmed uniformly by having the same trimming radius at each corner and having the center of each radius located an equal distance from the adjacent edges thereto, either the top edge and fore edge or the bottom edge and fore edge. The length of the fore edge (dimension between top and bottom edges measured parallel to the binding) varies from book to book in the same lot so that both corners cannot be trimmed simultaneously if uniform trimming is desired. For uniform corner trimming, it is necessary to align two adjacent edges of all the books before trimming the corner on each book common to these two edges. Then, the same process must be repeated for the other corner at the other end of the fore edge.

The invention, as specifically disclosed herein, briefly described includes a machine that pushes juxtaposed series of books (having the front face of one book touching the back face of an adjacent book with corresponding edges approximately horizontally and longitudinally aligned) past two cutters, one trimming one corner and the other trimming the other corner. The books are pushed through on horizontally extending guide surfaces supporting the fore edge of each book. A vertically extending side guide surface is located at each cutter, and the books are urged against the horizontal and vertical guide surfaces in turn, first to one cutter and its associated guide surfaces and then to the other cutter and its associated guide surfaces. Each trimming cutter, if of radius formation, has its radius center located an equal distance from the guide surfaces associated with said cutter. Means are provided opposite each cutter for urging the books toward the cutter and the book edges against the associated guide surfaces adjacent said cutter. After one corner has been rounded, the other urging means move the book edges against the other cutter and its associated guide surfaces in turn. Both urging means urge each book individually so that differences in fore edge lengths do not matter.

The machine includes a main frame 20, well shown in Figs. 1 and 3 having a plurality of legs 21 welded or otherwise secured thereto and depending therefrom for supporting the main frame at a convenient working height. Two subframes or slides 22 and 22' (Fig. 1) are slidably mounted on the top of the main frame so as to be movable toward or away from the longitudinal center line 33 in Fig. 1. This invention also contemplates that the additional parts mentioned hereinafter as being on the subframes could be mounted on the main frame with the elimination of the subframes, but the con struction with the subframes is more desirable since it provides convenient adjustment of the machine for trimming different size books.

Each subframe includes a cutter for trimming a book corner, vertical and horizontal guide surfaces associated with said cutter, means to push the books against the horizontal guide surface, and means to push the books against the vertical guide surface on the other subframe so that the cutter on said other subframe can trim the opposite corner of the books. The structure of each subframe and the above parts thereon are either substantially identical, mirror images of each other or similar in structure except for location. Therefore corresponding parts on each subframe will bear the same reference numeral except for the absence or addition of a prime thereto. Since the elements on the two subframes are identical in construction, only one will be described and this will be the one best shown in the drawings, whether it be on subframe 22 or 22.

The cutters for trimming the book corners are shown most clearly in Figs. 6, 10, 11 and 14. In the description, Figs. 10 and 11 will be referred to in detail. They most clearly show the cutter blade and the adjustable support therefor. The subframe 22' has a slot 22a cut therein with an angular bottom inclined downwardly to the right at about a 45 angle in the present disclosure. A circular bore 22b extends at about right angles to the angular bottom surface of the slot 22a and has a threaded hole 22c extending coaxially with the bore through the bottom thereof. A recess 22d is formed in the subframe to provide access to a threaded hole 22c, extending laterally from the bore 22b, and a setscrew 25 is screwed into the hole for locking the cutter blade at any desired height. A cutter blade, shown at 26', has an attaching flange 26a connected to a cutting edge 26b by a connecting shank. The cutting edge 26b has cutting relief ground therein and an arcuate depression in its upper right surface in Fig. 10 corresponding to the arcuate trim desired on the book corner. A different cutter blade is used for each trimming radius.

An adapter sleeve 27 secures the cutter blade 26 to the subframe 22. The sleeve has a central bore throughout its length and a cylindrical periphery on the portion held in bore 22b. The periphery has a flat 27a engageable by the end of locking setscrew 25' to prevent rotation and axial movement of the adapter sleeve 27 in the bore 22b. The upper end of the sleeve has integrally formed thereon a flange 2711' on which is removably mounted the cutter blade by screws 30' extending through holes in the attaching flange 26a screwed into aligned threaded holes in flange 27b.

A central adjusting screw 29, screwed into the threaded hole 220 in the subframe, is used for raising and lowering the cutter blade 26'. The screw has a head 29a positioned above the attaching flange 26a while the stern of the screw extends through a central hole in said flange and a. collar 29b is pinned to the stern below the flange. As the screw head 29a is rotated in either one direction or the other, the cutter blade 26 is raised or lowered. After the cutting edge 26b is set at the proper height, the setscrew 25' is tightened against the flat 27a to lock the parts in position.

This invention also includes a modification of the previously described structure. For example, the locking setscrew 25 and flat 27a could be replaced by a key and key way or conforming noncircular cross sectional shapes in the adapter sleeve 27 in the bore 22b to prevent relative rotation between sleeve 27 and subframe 22'. If it is desirable to have angular adjustment of the cutter blade 26 about the axis of screw 29', arcuate slots in flange 26a could be provided for the screws 30 so that the cutter blade could be rotated to the proper position before the screws 30 are tightened.

It should be noted that the bottom of slot 22a furnishes a natural downward flow surface for the chips or snips of trimmed paper, as shown in Fig. 14, away from the cutting edge to a place for convenient disposal.

The books having their corners trimmed A 11 1 fillQWJJ in Figs. 12, 13 and 14. The plurality of books, as they move through the machine, form a juxtaposed series having corresponding corners and edges approximately in alignment with the bound edge the uppermost while the fore edge 31a in Fig. 14 is lowermost. The top and bottom edges 31b, 31b are located at the left and right of the juxtaposed series of books since the books are arranged back-to-face.

In Fig. 6, a guide is provided on each subframe hav' ing horizontally and vertically extending guide surfaces for engaging the two adjacent book edges 31a, 31b forming the corner being trimmed by the cutter on each of said last-mentioned subframes. The cutter associated with each guide extends into the path of travel with its associated book corner, as seen in Fig. 14, and is located adjacent the inner section of the associated guide surfaces. The cutter is so located that the center of the cutting radius is located an equal distance from each of the adjacent guide surfaces on the subframe associated with that cutter.

The horizontal guide surface is shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6. The tops of the subframes at 33 and 33 are coplanar and serve as the greatest portion of the horizontal guide surface for supporting the book fore edge 31a. However, since the cutter blades 26 and 26' must be removal and since slots 22a and 22a must be bridged for smooth flow of the juxtaposed series of books, insert strips 34 and 34 are used. In Fig. 6, strip 34' is removably mounted in recesses in the top of the subframe 22' on each side of slot 22a so that its upper surface forms a smooth guiding surface with the top of said subframe. Screws are used for removably securing the insert strip 34' in place.

The vertical guide surfaces are shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6. On subframe 22' in Figs. 3 and 6 is included a plurality of spaced apart angle members 36' having two aligned strips 37, 37 parallel to aligned strip 38, 38 with all of said strips being welded or otherwise secured to said angle members. A removable strip 39', similar in purpose and mounting to strip 34, is removably secured above the cutter blade 26' to facilitate changing and adjusting of the cutter blade. The inner surfaces of all of these strips, facing the longitudinal center line of the machine, are coplanar to provide a smooth guide surface. It should be noted that subframe 22 has the same number of strips as subframe 22. The two strips 37 and 38' on the right in Fig. 3 of subframe 22' serve as a loading stop, to be described in further detail hereinafter, while the two in the center in Fig. 4 have a beveled lead edge for aligning any slightly misaligned book in the series. The strips are also shown clearly in Figs. 5 and 12.

Means is provided for urging the adjacent edges (fore edge 31a and either the top or bottom edge 31b) of each book into engagement with the horizontally and vertically extending guide surfaces on one subframe While the cutter on said subframe uniformly trims the corresponding corner between said adjacent edges on each book in the juxtaposed series. ting engagement with each cutter in turn for having each cutter trim a uniform amount off its associated book corner.

In Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 9, means is provided on each subframe to engage the binding for pushing the books downwardly with the fore edges bearing against the horizontal guide surface on each subframe. These means are shown at 42 and are four in number, two on each subframe. Only one will be described since each of the four is identical. A supporting angle member 45 (Fig. 6) is welded or otherwise secured to the top of the subframe 22 and has an upwardly projecting supporting leg extending therefrom. Another support member is attached thereto by a vertical leg 47, and it has a horizontally extending leg 46. A screw 48 in a vertical slot 47a of leg 47 provides the connection between the supporting members by being screwed into a threaded hole in member 45. A guide plate 49 is suspended below the horizontally extending leg 46 by spaced rivets 51, 51 (Fig. 9) surrounded by cushioning springs 52, 52 biasing the plate 49 downwardly so that lower guide surface 49a on the guide plate 49 can engage the bookbinding on each book to force the book fore edge 31a down onto the horizontal guide surfaces. The guide plate 49 has an inclined entrance surface 49b to push down any books vertically out of line in the series. The guide plate 49 is movable between the The books are moved into cut-,

solid and dot-dash line position in Fig. 9 since the rivets 51, 51 freely slide through holes in the horizontally extending leg 46.

The guide plate is vertically adjustable by merely loosening screw 48 and moving leg 47 with slot 47a up or down. This adjustment allows for different size books (dimension between the binding and the fore edge) so that the machine can be set up for any size desired.

This invention also contemplates that means 42 may not be required since gravity could act to urge book fore edge 31a down against the horizontal guide surface.

Means is provided at 43 on each subframe for pushing the book edge 31b opposite thereto against the vertical guide surface on the other subframe. It is shown from various angles in Figs. 3, 4, 6, 8 and 13. One means is located opposite each of the cutter blades 26 and 26, as most clearly shown in Figs. 1, 6 and 12. Figs. 6, 8 and 13 clearly show the structural details thereof which include a support having a base portion 55a welded or otherwise secured to the top of the subframe 22 in Fig. 6. The support has end vertical portions 55b, 55b to which are attached one or more of the vertical guide strips 37 38', and 39. These spaced vertical portions 55b, 5511 are secured to and kept in spaced apart vertical relationship by a pair of spaced horizontal plates 55c, 550 secured thereto. A plurality of spaced rollers 56 are provided having substantially parallel vertically extending axes. Each roller 56 has a coaxial shaft 56a rotatably mounted in the upper and lower plates 55c, 55c. An endless belt 57 extends around the rollers 56 and carries secured to its outer surface a plurality of readily deformable resilient pads 57:: with each pad having vertically extending opposite side edges contiguous to or closely ad acent to corresponding side edges on adjacent pads.

As the series of books move through the machine in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 12, it should be apparent that the pads 57a individually urge edge 31b of each book opposite thereto against the vertical guide surface on subframe 22' and urge the book corner adjacent thereto into cutting engagement with the cutter blade 26 for uniform trimming of the corner by said cutter blade even though the length of the fore edge may differ from book to book in the juxtaposed series moving through the machlne. The deformation of the pads 57a in Fig. 13 will take up and allow for any difference in fore edge lengths. It should be noted that the rollers 56 and endless belt 57 not only permit the pads 57a to travel with the juxtaposed series of books because of the frictional contact therebetween but also serve as a backing for the pads so that the book edge 31b opposite thereto will be firmly pushed against the opposite vertical guide surface. The resilient pads 57a, made of rubber or other rubber-like material, must be capable of physically moving any books from contact with its associated vertical guide surface over against the opposite vertical guide surface. Therefore, the pads, even when compressed by engagement with one or more of the book edges 31b, protrude inside of the guide strip 37, 38, and 39, as shown in Fig. 13.

Each resilient pad 57a, instead of being made of rubber or rubber-like material having uniform resiliency throughout its thickness, may be formed of laminated plies of resilient material extending parallel to the belt 57 and progressing in stiffness throughout the thickness of the pad with the ply at said belt being stiffer or less resilient than the ply at the periphery contacting the book edge 31b.

The operation of the trimming machine should now be apparent. The juxtaposed series of books moves in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 12 while the'corners are trimmed by cutters 26' and 26 spaced on opposite sides of the series of books and longitudinally along the path of book travel. The machine is loaded by setting a juxtaposed series of books on the coplanar horizontal guide surfaces formed by the tops of subframe 22 and 22' to the right of the pushing means 43 in Fig. 12. The edges 31b, at the top of the books in Fig. 12, are pushed against the vertical guide surface on subframe 22' (partially shown by guide strip 38 at the right in Fig. 12). As the books are pushed in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 12, the resilient pads 57a (Fig. 13) of the means 43 force the books upwardly in Fig. 12 against the vertical guide surface on subframe 22 so that they are properly aligned for uniform trimming of one corresponding corner on each book by the cutter blade 26'. Then, the resilient pads of the pushing means 43 push the books over against the vertical guide surface below the books in Fig. 12, for uniform trimming of the other corresponding corner on each book by the cutter blade 26. The pushing means 43 and 43 with the resilient pads urge the edges 31b, 31b of each book into engagement with each vertical guide sur face in turn while the cutter associated with each guide surface trims the corner adjacent thereto, namely, the

a corner between the adjacent book edges (one of the edges 31b and the fore edge 31a) engaging the horizontally and vertically extending guide surfaces on the subframe supporting the cutter. The pushing means 43 and 43' each align corresponding adjacent edges of all the books in the juxtaposed series for the corner opposite said pushing means for uniform trimming by the cutter thereafter. The pushing means 43 and 43' serve as transfer means for moving the books from the aligning guide on one subframe to the aligning guide on the other subframe. In Fig. 12, pushing means 43 pushes the book edges adjacent to the corner opposite thereof into engagement with the guide on subframe 22 while the pushing means 43 pushes the book edges opposite thereof into engagement with the guide on subframe 22.

Means is provided for conveying or pushing the juxtaposed series of books along the guides between the cutters in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 12 approximately longitudinally along or coaxial with the longitudinal center line 3-3 in Fig. 1. The conveying motion is caused by pressure fluid reciprocating a flat faced pusher ram and urging the series of books, after each loading, in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 12. The specific structure of the pressure fluid system is shown in Figs. 15 to 18 while Fig. 1 shows the general layout thereof. A double acting cylinder 60 is secured to the main frame coaxially with the longitudinal center line 33 and has a reciprocatory piston 61 therein having a piston rod 61a extending out to the left of said cylinder and having a head 61b mounted thereon.

The pusher ram also includes an adapter plate 62 in Figs. 5, 7 and 12 removably sesured to the head 61b by a screw connection therebetween so that the proper adapter plate for each book size can be used. The left side of the adapter plate in Fig. 12 presents a flat face for engaging the right end face of the series of books. The adapter face conforms in shape to the transverse cross sectional shape of the series of books so that the adapter plate 62 will provide proper support behind the book corners being cut by either blade 26 or 26'. Also, the ram plate 62 is spaced several book thicknesses from cutter blade 26' in Fig. 12 even when the plate is in the position farthest to the left so that these several books always provide backing behind the book corner being cut. 1

Means are provided for controlling the length of the ram stroke and are very clearly shown in the pressure fluid system in Figs. 1, 2, and 15 to 18 inclusive. Although air, hydraulic liquid or other types of fluid pressure can be used to operate the double acting cylinder and piston conveyor, air has been chosen for the specific disclosure herein. The flow diagram of the pressure fluid is shown in Fig. 15 and includes a line 64 from the pressure source having branch lines 67 and 68 to valves and 66 limiting the length of the piston and pusher ram stroke. Fig. 1 of the drawings clearly shows that the adapter plate 62 operates the limit valve 66, and this contact therebetween causes the piston 61 in Figs. 1 and 15 to change directions and move toward the left. An arm 63, secured to the adapter plate 62, actuates the limit valve 65 to cause a corresponding change in direction of piston travel. The limit valves 65 and 66 have lines 69 and 70 respectively connected with opposite ends of a control valve 71 for controlling the direction of movement of the piston 61 by pressure fluid admitted or exhausted through lines 73 and 74 connected to opposite ends of the double acting cylinder 60.

Since both limit valves 65 and 66 are identical, only one will be described and that is thoroughly disclosed in Figs. 17 and 18 wherein Fig. 17 shows the valve parts in their normal position while Fig. 18 shows the valve being actuated by engagement with the pusher or adapter plate 62. The limit valve 66 has a plunger 78 axially slidable in a cylindrical bore in the valve housing. The plunger carries actuator 78b, taking the form of a pin in the present disclosure, for transmitting the motion of the pusher or adapter plate 62 to the plunger 78 for moving it from its normal position in Fig. 17 to the actuator position in Fig. 18. A hole 78 a extends along the axial length of the plunger and connects its opposite transversely extending faces. A spring 79, located between the right face of the plunger 78 and the valve housing, normally biases the plunger 78 to the position shown in Fig. 17. Pressure port 80 is connected to the line 68 while port 80b leads to the control valves 71 through the line 70. An exhaust port 80a is provided in the housing also. When the valve parts are in their normal position in Fig. 17, the pressure fluid from the source entering by port 80 cannot reach ports 80a and 80b since plunger 78 obstructs the flow. However, exhaust port 80a is connected with port 80b to exhaust any pressure fluid from control valve 71, is desired, as will be brought out hereinafter. When the plunger 78 is moved to the right in Fig. 18, exhaust port 80a is closed and the pressure fluid from the pressure source entering the valve by port 80 can freely flow through the hole 78a, out port 80b and through line 70 to actuate the control valve 71.

The control valve 71 is shown in Fig. 16 in the position it assumes when limit valve 66 is in the actuated position shown in Fig. 18. The control valve includes a pressure port 82 connected to the pressure line 64, exhaust ports 82a and 82aa, ports 82b and 82bb connected respectively to lines 73 and 74 for conveying the pressure fluid to opposite ends of the double acting cylinder 60, and ports 82c and 82cc connected respectively with conduits 69 and 70 from limit valves 65 and 66. The valve housing has a central cylindrical bore slidably supporting a plunger 84 therein having three integrally formed piston members thereon 84a, 84b and 840. This plunger is free to move to either the extreme left position, shown in Fig. 16, against the shoulder of the cylindrical bore at port 820 or the extreme right position against the shoulder at port 82cc under the influence of the force exerted thereon by the pressure fluid from either line 69 or 70.

In operation, when the pusher or adapter plate is being moved toward the right in Fig. l by travel of piston 61 toward the right in Fig. 15, the piston 84 is at its extreme right position and pressure fiuid is being admitted into the left side of the cylinder 60 by the line 73 while line 74 drains or exhausts the right side of the cylinder through exhaust port 82aa. As the pusher or adapter plate 62 moves the parts of limit valve 66 to the position shown in Fig. 18, pressure fluid from the pressure source travels through line 64, line 68, limit valve 66, line 70, and port 82cc in the control valve 71 for urging the piston 84 toward the position on the left shown in Fig. 16 by exerting a force on the right side of piston member 840. The fluid at the left of piston member 84a exhausts out exhaust port 80a of limit valve 67, now in the Fig. 17 position. After the piston 84 assumes the position shown in Fig. 16, any excess air pressure can escape out the exhaust 82aa while the limit valve 66 is momentarily held in the position shown in Fig. 18. Then, pressure fluid from the source can flow through line 64 into port 82 of the control valve 71, between piston members 84b and 840, through port 82bb, and through line 74 into the right hand side of cylinder 60 to urge the piston 61 and the pusher plate 62 toward the left. The fluid entrapped in the left side of the piston 61 in the cylinder 60 can easily exhaust through line 73, port 82b, between piston members 84a and 84b, and out the exhaust port 82a. Then, the pusher plate 82 moves to the left away from the limit valve 66 so that the valve parts assume the position shown in Fig. 17 and there are no unbalanced pressure fluid forces tending to move plunger 84 axially in the control valve 71.

A similar sequence of operation takes place when arm 63 engages the limit valve 65 and it is readily apparent that the adapter or pusher plate will reciprocate between the two limit valves 65 and 66 by changing directions at the end of the stroke. When the pusher plate 62 moves to the left in Figs. 1 and 12, the juxtaposed series of 7 books will be moved in like manner and'the corners will be uniformly trimmed by the cutter blades 26 and 26. When the pusher plate 62 moves to the right in Figs. 1 and 12, it provides space between the first book on the right in the juxtaposed series and the adapter plate for loading more books into the machine.

The operation should be apparent now. A group of books can easily be loaded to the left of the pusher plate 62 in Fig. 12 when the plate is retracted to its position farthest to the right. The books are loaded over subframe 22 (from the bottom in Fig. 12) and are pushed against the guide strips 37' and 38' on the opposite subframe. The pusher plate 62, moving toward the left in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 12, moves the books into engagement with the pushing means 43 which in turn individually pushes the book edge 31b on each book nearest cutter 26' against the vertically extending guide: surface formed by guide plates 37', 38' and 39' while the pusher means 42 and 42 urges the fore edge 31a of each book down into engagement with the coplanar top surfaces of the subframes 22 and 22 so that cutter blade 26' can uniformly trim the correspondingly aligned corners on all the books between each edge 31b and the fore edge 31a. Then, the pusher means 43' transfers the books from the vertical guide surface on subframe 22 to that on subframe 22 formed by guide strips 37, 38 and 39. While the edge 31b is held against the vertically extending guide surface on the subframe 22 by the pusher means 43', the pusher means 42 and 42 urge the fore edge 3111 against the horizontally extending, coplanar guide surfaces on both subframes and cutting blade 26 uniformly trims the corners on all the books between the two lastmentioned book edges. Hence, adjacent book corners at opposite edges of the fore edge 31a on each book are uniformly trimmed to the same radius of curvature even though the length of the fore edge 3111 on each book may differ.

It should be apparent that this machine will readily trim only one corner, if so desired, by the mere omission of the pushing means 43 and the cutter blade 26 associated therewith.

This trimming machine can easily be set up for different size books. As was brought out earlier in the specification, the guide plates 49 and 49' of the pushing means 42 and 42' can be raised or lowered by merely unloosening the screws 48 and moving each slot 47a up or down with respect to the corresponding screw 48. This allows for books having a substantially different basic dimension between the binding and the fore edge 31a.

Since the double acting cylinder is fixed to the main frame 20 and since the piston rod 61a and the pusher plate 62 move along the longitudinal central axis of the machine, shown along the section line 33 of Fig. 1, the machine can be adjusted for substantial differences in the dimension between the top and bottom book edges 31b, 31b by moving the subframes 22 and 22 equal distances toward or away from the center line.

Means is provided for moving the subframes equal distances toward or away from the longitudinal center line of the machine, and it is most clearly shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive. It includes two adjusting screws 90, extending transversely to the longitudinal center axis of the machine and with each having a right and left hand thread with the center line of the machine denoting the meeting point between the dissimilar threads on each screw. The screws are rotatably mounted in the main frame 20 below the upper surface thereof with each in aligned holes on opposite sides of the main frame. Three end caps 91 are welded or otherwise secured to the main frame 20 to cover the opposite ends of one of the screws 90 and only one end of the other screw to prevent axial movement of the screws but to permit rotation thereof. A handle 92 is provided at the opposite end of the screw 90 having only one end cap (at the left in Fig. 1) for ready rotation thereof by the machine operator or setup man and this screw has other means to prevent axial movement thereof in the one direction not covered by the end cap on the opposite end thereof. Each subframe 22 and 22' has a pair of depending projections 22m and 22m respectively having a threaded hole therethrough and screwed onto the screws 90, 90. A sprocket 94 is secured at the longitudinal center line to each screw between the right and left hand threads thereon, and an endless connecting chain 95 drivingly connects the two sprockets together.

In operation, the handle 92 is rotated in one direction to cause the screws 90, 90 to rotate together in the same direction and move the subframes away from the longitudinal center line of the machine in such a manner that at any one time each subframe is located the same distance from the center line. This result is achieved since screws 90, 90 each have threads of the same pitch thereon but have a right hand thread on one side and a left hand thread on the other with both right threads being located on corresponding sides of the longitudinal center line of the machine. An elongated slot 20b in the subframe in Fig. 1 guides each of the four depending projections 22m and 22m for permitting movement relative to the main frame 20.

Under each of the cutter blades 26 and 26' transverse slots 20a, 2011 are located in the main frame 20. The paper snips trimmed by each cutter can easily slide down the angular bottom of the associated slot 22a or 22a and out the bottom of slots 20a into a receptacle placed below the machine main. frame 20 between the legs 21. A roof 96 is formed of sheet metal and secured to the under side of the main frame 20 under each slot 20a for guiding the paper snips down on each side of the sprockets 94, 94 and the endless chain 95 to prevent any clogging thereof.

After the subframes 22 and 22 have been moved until the proper distance exists between their respective vertical guide surfaces, locking means are provided for keeping them in position. For example, on subframe 22 in Figs. 4 and 5, it includes spaced studs 97, 97 secured at their upper ends in subframe 22 and extending downwardly through transverse slots 20c, 20c in the main frame. Each stud 97 has a locking nut 99 and a washer 98 thereon for securely clamping the subframe 22 tightly onto the main frame 20.

Although the subframes 22 and 22 could be made integrally with main frame 20 or could be secured thereto without adjustment therebetween if only books of substantially the same size between the top and bottom edges 31b, 3111 were always having corners trimmed, it is more advisable to have a machine which can be adjusted and ;et up for different basic book sizes as described heretoore.

Various changes in details and arrangement of the parts can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A machine for trimming adjacent book corners, comprising cutters located on opposite sides of and spaced along the path of book travel a distance greater than a book thickness to provide one cutter for trimming each corner, means for conveying a plurality of books in face to face relationship along the path between said cutters, a first aligning means for keeping the corresponding adjacent edges at one corner of all the books in alignment for uniform trimming by one cutter of said one corner, a second aligning means for keeping the corresponding adjacent edges at the other corner of all the books in alignment for uniform trimming by the other cutter of said other corner, and transfer means located along the path of travel between said cutters for moving the books laterally to the path of travel from said first to said second aligning means.

2. A machine for trimming adjacent book corners of a juxtaposed series of books traveling along a path in the direction of the length of the series and having corresponding peripheral corners and edges approximately in alignment comprising a pair of spaced cutters to provide one cutter for trimming each corner with said cutters spaced along the path of travel for sequential cutting, a pair of guides one associated with one cutter for engaging the book edges adjacent the corner cut by said last-mentioned cutter and the other associated with the other cutter in a similar manner, means for conveying said series of books along the path on said guides be tween said cutters, and means for sequentially urging the adjacent edges of each book into engagement with each of said guides in turn while the cutter associated with each guide trims the corner of each book between the adjacent book edges engaging said last-mentioned guide.

3. A machine for trimming adjacent book corners of a juxtaposed series of books traveling along a path having corresponding corners and edges approximately 1n alignment comprising a pair of cutters spaced apart along the path of travel to provide one cutter for trimming each corner, a pair of guides one associated with one cutter for engaging the book edges adjacent the corner cut by said last-mentioned cutter and the other associated with the other cutter in a similar manner, means for conveying said series of books along said guides between said cutters, and means movable with said books along the path of travel and having a laterally resilient, readily deformable surface engageable laterally. against said books for individually laterally urging sequentially the adjacent edges of each book into engagement with each of said guides in turn while the cutter associated with each guide trims the corner of each book between the adjacent book edges engaging said last-mentioned guide.

4. A machine for trimming adjacent book corners of a juxtaposed series of books having corresponding corners and edges approximately in alignment comprising a main frame, two subframes each mounted on said main frame for movement an equal distance toward or away from a fixed center line, a pair of spaced cutters to provide one cutter for trimming each corner, a pair of guides one associated with one cutter for engaging the book edges adjacent the corner cut by said last-mentioned cutter and the other associated with the other cutter in a similar manner, means for exerting a conveying force on said series of books approximately longitudinally and symmetrical with said center line to move said books along said guides between said cutters, said cutters being spaced apart along the path of movement of said books, and means for urging the adjacent edges of each book into engagement with each of said guides while the cutter associated with each guide trims the cornen of each book between the adjacent book edges engaging said last-mentioned guide, each subframe supporting a cutter with its associated guide and with the means for urging the books into engagement with the other cutter.

S. A machine for trimming adjacent book corners of a juxtaposed series of books having corresponding corners and edges approximately in alignment comprising a pair of spaced cutters to provide one cutter for trimming each corner, a pair of guides one associated with one cutter for engaging the book edges adjacent the corner cut by said last-mentioned cutter and the other associated with the other cutter in a similar manner, means for pushing said series of books along said guides between said cutters, said cutters being spaced apart along the path of movement of said books, and means for urging the adjacent edges of each book into engagement with each of said guides in turn while the cutter associated with each guide trims the corner of each book between the adjacent book edges engaging said last-mentioned guide, said pushing means including a fiat faced ram for engaging the end face of said series of books to push them along said guides andhaving a face conforming in shape to the transverse cross section of said series of books and being approximately the same as the lateral distance between said cutters, said ram being spaced several book thicknesses from the nearest cutter at all times.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 443,519 Hainkel Dec. 30, 1890 443,678 James Dec. 30, 1890 444,012 Osborne Jan. 6, 1891 788,288 Taylor Apr. 28, 1905 968,014 White Aug. 23, 1910 1,741,269 Alger Dec. 31, 1929 1,771,496 Leguillon July 29, 1930 2,616,501 Smith Nov. 4, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 339,356 Great Britain Dec. 8, 1930 

